Science
Down To Earth
RISING MERCURY IS MAKING NEPAL GLACIERS VULNERABLE
Changing nature of glaciers and glacial lakes make the Himalayas one of the most climate vulnerable regions on the planet. RIJAN BHAKTA KAYASTHA, a glaciologist at the Himalayan Cryosphere, Climate and Disaster Research Center, Kathmandu University in Nepal, speaks to AKSHIT SANGOMLA about glaciers in Nepal and the impact of climate change on them
5 min |
January 16, 2022
Down To Earth
For A Sustainable Farm Sector
A look at strategies and pathways to make Indian agriculture resilient in a changing climate and help the country fulfil commitments it made at COP26
8 min |
January 16, 2022
Down To Earth
SUN, SALT AND SAND
Use of solar-powered pumps for salt manufacturing has not just helped Gujarat's Agariya community fight the rising fuel costs, but also drastically cut their carbon emissions
6 min |
January 16, 2022
Down To Earth
Protracted struggle
Despite legal win, three tribal villages in Andhra Pradesh are still fighting the state to save their land from mining
4 min |
January 16, 2022
Down To Earth
Calling out Albert Bourla and Big Pharma
Omicron is the result of leading vaccine makers and rich nations' failure to provide equitable supplies of jabs against COVID-19
5 min |
January 16, 2022
Down To Earth
On thin ice
Reduced snowfall and high temperatures have upturned the lives of people in the Himalayan cold desert
7 min |
January 16, 2022
Down To Earth
Virus' Variant Ways
The third year of the global COVID-19 outbreak begins with a new variant, much like the earlier Delta variant that emerged at the start of the second year. Delta caused deadly waves, but the new variant, named Omicron, is more transmissible and shows signs of breaching acquired immunity. The world should be braced for a prolonged pandemic
10+ min |
December 16, 2021
Down To Earth
Some more unequal
The world today is richer than ever, but the wealth gap between the rich and the poor has also widened to levels last seen at the height of imperialism 200 years ago
7 min |
December 16, 2021
Down To Earth
RAINING FOR 60 DAYS
Incessant heavy rains over south India for the past two months indicate a drastic change in the country’s monsoon system and hint at the new climate extremes of a perpetually warming world
10+ min |
December 16, 2021
Down To Earth
Plant protection authority sets right its potato blunder
A public campaign forced it to revoke registration of PepsiCo’s potato variety, but the agency needs to reset its priorities
5 min |
December 16, 2021
Down To Earth
POLAVARAM DAM "FROM HEAVEN TO HELL"
Under the serene backwaters of the Godavari are 72 villages of Andhra Pradesh that got submerged, some completely, this June because of the under-construction Polavaram dam. SHAGUN KAPIL visited some of these villages in East and West Godavari districts as well as seven rehabilitation colonies, and found serious flaws with the resettlement process that has caused agony to countless families
8 min |
December 01, 2021
Down To Earth
AEDES THE MENACE
The latest outbreaks of Zika fever in India indicate that mosquito-borne diseases are fast spreading to new populations and regions. They are also no longer restricted to the monsoon season. Aedes mosquitoes that are responsible for transmitting a range of diseases are particularly becoming invasive in a rapidly warming world. An analysis by VIVEK MISHRA and VIBHA VARSHNEY in Delhi with NEETU SINGH in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
10+ min |
December 01, 2021
Down To Earth
Moderna's brazen patent rab on a COVID jab
The US administration is finally putting its foot down on the appropriation of public research by drug firms
4 min |
December 01, 2021
Down To Earth
Bitter sweet
Petha production in Agra leaves behind waste and pollution. The city must develop strategies to reduce their impact
6 min |
December 01, 2021
Down To Earth
India's successes at COP26
Collaborative, not competitive, approach can save our planet
5 min |
December 01, 2021
Down To Earth
THE SIGNS
The Sumi Naga tribe has developed a whole portfolio of ecological indicators to help predict weather. The lack of documentation and loss of biodiversity puts this traditional knowledge at risk of extinction
4 min |
December 01, 2021
Down To Earth
Deadlock in Palk Bay
India-Sri Lanka fishing conflicts show no signs of abatement as efforts to phase out destructive trawling practices show little progress
4 min |
December 01, 2021
Down To Earth
Tantalising wait
As Himalayan farmers grow the country’s first asafoetida plants, changing weather threatens to play spoilsport
3 min |
December 01, 2021
Down To Earth
Take heart
A STATIN-FREE LIFE IS A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO HEART HEALTH FROM A CARDIOLOGIST WHO HAS LONG ARGUED THAT THE CHOLESTEROL-FOCUSSED APPROACH TO PREVENTING AND TREATING HEART DISEASE IS FLAWED
3 min |
December 01, 2021
Down To Earth
Yes, says Prime Minister
After a year of farmers’ protests, the government will repeal the three farm laws
3 min |
December 01, 2021
Down To Earth
Global Crackdown On Greenwashing
AS COUNTRIES begin to step up their climate commitments to reduce the burden of global warming, industries are facing heat for years of greenwashing practices, or the act of passing off products or services as environmentally friendly without proof.
1 min |
November 16, 2021
Down To Earth
Long-distance lessons
An educational non-profit virtually connects rural children with teachers who can instruct in their native language ANIL ASHWANI SHARMA
2 min |
November 16, 2021
Down To Earth
A reluctant survivor
MORE THAN 28 FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS DIE BY SUICIDE EVERY DAY IN THE COUNTRY. ONE DAY IN 2014, RAMRAO PANCHLENIWAR FROM MAHARASHTRA'S VIDARBHA REGION WAS SET TO BE ONE SUCH CASE; BUT HE MIRACULOUSLY SURVIVED. IN RAMRAO: THE STORY OF INDIA'S FARM CRISIS, JOURNALIST JAIDEEP HARDIKAR TRACES THE LIFE OF THIS COTTON GROWER AND THROUGH IT, THE TRIBULATIONS OF INDIA'S AGRARIAN COMMUNITY. EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK:
4 min |
November 16, 2021
Down To Earth
The new bare minimum
The newly agreed global minimum corporate tax to prevent ultinational firms from avoiding the legal cess regime is riddled ith clauses to ensure that profits stay with the rich nations
9 min |
November 16, 2021
Down To Earth
The bizarre demand for a Banarasi paan GI
Geographical Indication tag continues to be handed out without examining the scientific basis or the integrity of such claims
4 min |
November 16, 2021
Down To Earth
VALUE IN THE WEED
BATHUA IS IN DEMAND FOR ITS NUTRITION AND TASTE. IMPROVED VARIETIES OF THE WEED CAN MAKE IT POPULAR AMONG FARMERS
4 min |
November 16, 2021
Down To Earth
Agenda For COP26
THE 26TH session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is being held at a time when the impacts of global warming are more palpable than ever—both for the poor and the rich.
10+ min |
November 01, 2021
Down To Earth
The Numbers Behind Climate Change
The planet can barely afford any more carbon emissions. But we need to continue to emit for our survival and development. What is the carbon budget available to us? More importantly, who should be allowed to emit and how much? An analysis by Sunita Narain and Avantika Goswami
10+ min |
November 01, 2021
Down To Earth
INHERITANCE OF LOSS
The young are restless to conserve the world they know they will inherit
7 min |
November 01, 2021
Down To Earth
Borrowed time
The world is set to produce over twice the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C
3 min |